EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES 2017-2018

1. You ​cannot​ do extra credit work unless all of the assigned work, at the time of the extra credit
request is complete. This means that you do not have missing grades for FRQs, DBQ, Essays, or any
homework or projects.
2. You cannot do extra credit work if you have lost behavior and/or participation points.
3. You are limited to 1 extra credit assignment per nine weeks. Assignment is worth 50 points and can
be used all on one test or divided in half between two tests.
4. All projects must have prior approval ​before​ beginning!! Once you have obtained approval,
complete the "Declaration of Intent" form and a due date assigned.

Assignment​:
Choose one of the books listed for the current semester. Read the book and write a critical book review.
This is a paper that follows the following guidelines:

ABBREVIATED GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

1. THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE IN WRITING THE BOOK:

-Is the author presenting new or merely summarizing old information?
-Is the book an in-depth study of a narrow subject, or is it a broad survey of a large historical event
or time period?
-What was the author’s reason for writing the book?
2. AUTHOR’S DOCUMENTATION AND RESEARCH:
-What evidence does the author base his/her work upon? Look at the bibliography, footnotes, and
preface.
-Are the sources primary, secondary, or tertiary?
3. ORGANIZATION AND COHERENCE OF THE BOOK:
-Is the information presented in a logical manner?
-Is there too much repetition or gap in the information presented?
-Does the author use maps, photos, charts, and/or graphs to help the reader visualize the events
described, and are they appropriately placed?
4. AUTHOR’S THESIS OR POINT:
-What is the main point made by the author? Look for a consistent theme which is present
throughout the book.
5. AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS OR BIAS ON THE SUBJECT:
-Is the author a participant in the event, a historian, professor, or professional writer? -Look for the
evidence that the author may be biased toward a particular viewpoint based upon his/her
background
-Has the author published other works on similar or different topics?
-Has the author achieved any awards for his/her work?
6. INTENDED AUDIENCE:
-Is the book for the average reader, or was it written for someone with a wide background in the
subject?
-Is the language appropriate for the intended level of the reader?
7. YOUR OVERALL EVALUATION OF THE BOOK:
-What value did the book have to you? Was it interesting or too difficult to read?
-Would you recommend this work to read to someone else? Why or why not?
-Has reading this book changed in any way your thoughts
 EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES 2017-2018

Book Choices:

1st Nine Weeks:

Chains ​by Laurie Halse Anderson
A Break with Charity ​by Ann Rinaldi

2nd Nine Weeks:

With Every Drop of Blood​ by James Lincoln Collier
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

3rd Nine Weeks:

Uprising​ by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Paper Wishes​ by Lois Sepahban

4th Nine Weeks:

Tallgrass​ by Sandra Dallas
Freshwater Road​ by Denise Nicholas
A Night Divided​ by Jennifer Nielsen

I intend to complete an extra credit paper for the _____ Nine Weeks.

The book I have chosen is ________________________________.

This report is due on _____________________________________.

Teacher Signature _______________________________________.

Student Signature _______________________________________.